Prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed!

Prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed

by Helen Steiner Rice

Life without purpose is barren indeed -

There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed.

There can't be attainment unless there's a goal,

And man's but a robot unless there's a soul.

If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,

And unless there's a contest nobody can win.

For games can't be won unless they are played

And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.

So whatever is wrong with your life today,

You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray,

Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,

Not just for honours, prestige and wealth,

But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,

And pray for the joy of unselfish giving,

For great is your gladness and rich your reward

When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord.

The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers (taken from special edition volume published by Pastimes)

The Victorians formalised and expanded the language of flowers to provide every sentiment and occasion with a floral code. However, this practice has its origins much further back in history. By Shakespeare's time, flowers conveyed messages that were well known to the girls who were the life equivalents of Peridta in A Winter's Tale and Ophelia in Hamlet.

The need for a code arose because the freedom enjoyed by today's young lovers was denied their predecessors. Suitors were not always approved of, in which case the tiny, discreet pimpernel would bear the message, 'assignation', or the less discreet rose or red tulip would say, 'I love you'. The message back was not always encouraging, a striped carnation would convey 'refusal', or worse, the frog ophrys would mean 'disgust'. Receiving that would take a lot of getting over! One's knowledge of this language had to be extensive. Some flowers had radically different meanings, depending on the colour of the one given, and the scope for error was alarming. Fortunately, little handbooks were available for the Victorian suitor to make sure he got it right.

Behind this floral code was a less easily detected but fascinating tradition stretching back into antiquity, in which flowers and plants featured prominently in myth and folklore and were greatly prized for their powers of healing and protection.

What is it about flowers?

What is it about flowers? We all love them, we grow them in our gardens, we send them for special occasions, we hold them as brides, we place them on graves. They make us cry, they make us smile. We love their colours, which is like nothing that can ever be reproduced in our material world. The red of a rose will never be matched in a paintshop or at an artist's easel. God-made colours in a world dominated by man.

A very good friend of mine is travelling from Australia to Alaska to undertake an Alaskan Flower Essence course. Dr Edward Bach of England back in the 1930s discovered by using sunlight and water he could collect the essences of flowers and preserve them and use these precious essences to make people better. Flower Essences are for sale on line and in health food shops, I myself have used them. Dr Bach collected five specific essences and called them his 'rescue remedy', you can get it now in drop form or a special mouth spray - I used it a lot when I went for my driving test - it helped a lot! There is a calming, pleasing thought that the 'magic' of the essence of a flower can help to steady your nerves and make you feel better.

For centuries women had embroidered, cross stitched and needlepointed their way through many flowers. You will find flowers in most tapestries on the walls of many stately homes, castles and manor houses. Beginner cross stitch kits often use a simple flower as the way to get the keen learner going. Flowers are on books, cards, wrapping paper, silk scarves, curtains, window nets, we put flowers in our hair when we marry, they are used in folk festivals, Wiccans adorn themselves with them - we simply love flowers and have them as a part of our lives. It was something I thought of and so I thought I would share with the rest of you. You sit and think a while about just how often and how many times you see, buy, stitch, use flowers - they are all around us.

The Birds I met!

The Beautiful HARRIS HAWK!

















The stunning Golden Eagle!

The wise old Eagle Owl!

The Regal Bald Eagle!

Birthday Treat!

Had a fantastic birthday last weekend, and had a special birthday treat from my parents which was a falconry day at Warwick Castle. I have always wanted to do falconry so I went along to Warwick (my favourite place) and had the most amazing time with some stunning, impressive birds. The Bird of Prey experience at Warwick Castle is run by the most excellent people at www.hawkexperience.co.uk so check it out if you are interested, also check out Warwick Castle's web site which is listed on my blog.

I held a Bald Eagle called Sydney who was heavy but stunning, I also held a juvenile Bald Ealge, who didn't have the recognisable white head as juveniles don't get the white head until they are holder. I also asked a very impressive Golden Eagle called Mouse an unusual name I know but he was a beautiful bird. I then flew two amazing birds an Eagle Owl and a Harris Hawk who was called Patience - she was amazing and my favourite bird. She was so elegant and silent as she swooped through the air.

Although the Bird of Prey experience isn't cheap (£80 participant and £30 spectator) it is well worth spending the morning handling and flying these amazing birds. I know dear bloggers that this doesn't really come under the heading of blog topics that I want on A Grand Day Out but I had to share this lovely day that I had.

I post some photographs next so that you can see how beautiful these birds are.

Crochet - Creative Joy!

Crochet

A little background - Crochet is a process of creating fabric from yard or thread using a crochet hook. The word is derived from the Middle French work croc or croche, meaning hook. Crocheting, similar to knitting, consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. Crochet differs from knitting in that only one loop is active at one time, and that a crochet hook is used instead of knitting needs.

Some images of crochet. A creative form that I am keen to learn.

I tried knitting but didn't feel totally inspired, although I know it can be very creative, but crochet has always appealed to me.

Some lovely images of many different ways to crochet - I never realised until I started looking at how much variety there was in crocheting!

The crochet room above is simply wonderful - very inspiring!


Yummy - crochet fun!

A simple, colourful, pretty crochet garland!

20th Centry Icons - Marilyn Monroe

My personal homage to the fabulous Marilyn Monroe

So, instead of droning on and on about how fantastic I think she was, I'll leave it to her own words...

"...If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere..."

"...I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can be a woman in it!"

"... Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a $1,000 for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul..."

Basia Zarzycka

Speaking of beautiful gowns, you must check out the web site of the fabulous BASIA ZARZYCKA (opposite), see what she has done to the ballet slippers (opposite). Basia designs the most gorgeous gowns and accessories, her web site is a must, find her wonderful world at http://www.basia-zarzycka.com/ - Enjoy!

A modern slant!

Of course the only time we tend to get dressed up these days is for the big day - our weddings, so I've added a couple of pictures of beautiful modern gowns, and I couldn't leave out Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara who wore some beautiful gowns in the fabulous 'Gone with the Wind!'

Getting ready for the ball...

Here we go for those images.... enjoy!

Its the weekend! So glad its Friday, haven't had chance all week to sit down and update my blog. Currently reading about fashion and Marie Antoinette, had to get a fix of the Marie Antoinette movie tonight, which got me thinking about the golden age of balls, and when women dressed in beautiful gowns when they went out. Unfortunately, my weekend does not include attendance at a ball, but then whose does...., but I found some beautiful images reminiscent of those glory days long gone.

Sit back and enjoy these images of beautiful gowns and scenes of a bygone era, which I think we all yearn for now and again. To dress up in a beautiful gown, to look stunning for a few hours and to be special for just a while...